a train of cards....

Here's the scoop.....I stayed up LATE (until 1:30) last night creating to my hearts content. Here's a few of the cards from my endeavor.....I started out making this card....

Then I TOTALLY switched gears and popped out this 5 minute cutey.

Then this little 10 minute number was born....

I switched gears again and came up with this....

And lastly....this fun and cheerful creation...

Thanks for stopping by and taking a peek! If you have any questions...feel free to ask.

I hope you have a WONDERFUL Easter weekend! God Bless you! ~Lori

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My 1st scrapbook page in eons

I actually completed this project several weeks ago....and have never posted it. These photos are from Easter last year. I guess, Better late than never...... {o:
The paper is by Creating Keepsakes. The flowers are from a punch I bought at HL. The flower centers are punched from a small circle punch. I added some cuttlebugged photo corners, a couple trees by Stampin' UP a pearl and a bow. It's a very basic l/o and a little old school. But hey, I haven't scrapped in months and months!! :)

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My Announcement

EEK!! I was picked to be a card girl for g.c.d Studios. You can check it out here .

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TPE #9 (Recipe challenge)

This week at TPE....it's a Recipe challenge. Hop over there and check it out!! We would love to have you play!! The link is in my sidebar.

I'm sorry this post is SOOO short!! It's REALLY getting late. So, I hope you'll forgive me! :)

~Lori R

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Caardvarks Challenge (Fantasy)

EDIT: Blogger is not cooperating with this post!!!! It's not working like it should. So, the post body has some weird stuff embedded in it!! Blogger was acting up when I created the post but I didn't realize how much until today!!!

This past week has been extra exciting for!! One of the reasons is.....I was invited to join Caarvarks design team!!!! Can you believe it?! Little ol' me!! Jenyfur invited us to play along this week if we wanted to. So.....here it is! This weeks challenge is Fantasy. BELIEVE me...you want to make sure you play this challenge!! There's an AWESOME prize this round!! It's hosted by Two Spotted Dogs. This is how I interpreted the challenge....

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ketches4you#21 blog hop easter OCC Pink Elelphant #6 pink elephant Pink Elephant Challenge

As you can see this card is very basic!! I really wanted the focus to be on the word princess.

As some of you know. I've been out of state all weekend. So, it's made getting everything posted a little more difficult! If this post doesn't make a lot of sense. Well, I'll blame it on the time and being tired! :)

Also, You'll be seeing more posts than normal this week....I have some exciting news to share Monday and the Pink Elephant challenge posts Monday... Stay tuned! :D

~Lori

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2sketches4you#23, Use It #3, Creative Card Crew (using texture), Secret Crafters (stitching)

Polka dots and roses day....I've been in the mood to create pinkish cards that are really sweet and girly. It must be the Spring feeling in the air....

I hope you enjoy this challenge....scroll down if you're interested in more details.

How about a x4 challenge card today!? I started out with the 2sketches4you sketch (which I love).....from there it evolved into this.....This sweetly pink number has minimal layers and embellishments. The flower embellishment was simply some ruffled satin trim and lace I had bought for around a buck a yard. I simply made them into a circle and taped the ends together. The paper flower pin on top is a $ tree find. There is around a dozen in each pack. They're adorable!! The chipboard glitter letters are some I've had for a couple years. I had not even used them one time until this week.

For the Use It challenge we were to use any scraps, 2 types of ribbon and a punch. The Polka dotted PP is a scrap piece. The 2 types of ribbon used (pink grosgrain and cream sheer ribbon).

The punch I used was a corner rounder.

The third challenge is from Creative Card Crew. Using Texture. The flower, paint, lace trim and chipboard letters are my textured elements.

Lastly, at Secret Crafters....the challenge is to use stitching....which I love and do often.

I hope you all are having a wonderful day!! The sun is shining so sweetly today! That alone is a reason to smile after a long winter!! I also have some exciting news to share next week!!

{hugs} Lori

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Easter Chicks and TPE #8, Daring Card Makers

This week at the Pink Elephant the challenge is to make an Easter card or project. Honestly, it's a little hard to believe that Easter is around the corner! Although, we are happy to see it arrive! This time of year is such a blessings to us in southern Ohio. The budding trees and green sprouts peeking out of the ground are quite a refreshing sight! It's also nice to see the little robins join us again. They are a sweet reminder of Spring! So, in honor of the season.....here is a little Easter treat. (This card is now available to purchase in my Etsy shop, see sidebar for link)

I did enjoy creating this. Well, for the most part....It was a little slow going but I think it was due to the fact that it was so late by the time I started and finished it. I don't work too well when I'm sleepy! :) The paper and chicks are Cosmo Cricket. While shopping yesterday I came across them. So....once again, they followed me home! You will be seeing more projects from this line....The kit has a ton of CUTE stuff in it!

I think, for the most part.....this card is self explanatory. But... for fun I'll give you a few highlights.

I used two pieces of PP and paper border. The edges are painted and lightly distressed. I added micro beads to parts of the PP to sweeten things up a little. The berries are from the same Cosmo Cricket kit. I love the way they make this card pop. I ran the chicks wings through the CB to give them a little texture. I also, used pinking shears on the edge of the card. And on the edges of my ribbon. The pinking shears are fast becoming a staple in my supply box!

I hope all of you had a fabulous weekend. I'm looking forward to a week of fun challenges and projects!

~Lori

Check out the Daring Card Makers challenge Here

You are required to use a bunny, chick etc on your card.

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WINNERS FOR THE EASTER BLOG HOP CANDY

Edit: Two of the winners have contacted me. I have not heard from Nancy. I also have not been successful in reaching her. So, if Nancy has not contacted by Sat. the 4th. I will pick another random winner.

I have the winners for the Easter blog hop candy..........Drum roll please.......


Here is your sequence:
14
22
49

Timestamp: 2009-03-29 01:41:16 UTC

#1 Southern Cricut

#2 Gail's Card Cafe

#3 Nancy

If you ladies could email me at m2three2000@yahoo.com with your address. I'll get them mailed out to you. Congratulations!

A BIG thank you too all of you wonderful inspiring ladies who participated!! You help keep me going! I {heart} you all!! :]

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KWERNER Color Challenge #47

As you well know...there's a first time for everything. Today, I participated in my 1st evah KWERNER color challenge. The card I created for the challenge is quite a bit more simple than usual. But I find these kind of cards refreshing at times!!

I again used the scor-it on the BG (I'll tire of it, just hang in there). The PP is Basic Grey's new Fall line . I fell in love with it and it followed me home! The fall sentiment is a K & Company card stock sticker. I dry stitched the top edge with the sewing machine. The sheer stitched ribbon is from Hobby Lobby. Literally, this card took all of about 5 - 10 minutes.

I also, wanted to add.....I started an ETSY shop. If you're ever interested in visiting (please do) :D the link is at the top of my side bar.

Don't forget, today is the last day to sign up for my blog candy (see side bar for link).

Have a great day! ~Lori

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2sketches 4you #22, use it #2

This week at 2sketches4you. Laura, put up the sketch. I didn't get to play last week so, I made the effort to create a card this week. I think I forgot to mention....that Kazan picked one of my cards a couple challenges back as card of the week. Woohoo!! I was SO thrilled!! That said, I used the prize Kazan sent me for that week on this card. The mini Scor-it....I LOVE how easy it is to use!

This week Rae's (Use It) guest challenge hostess challenged us to use eyelets (something I RARELY do), use something that is at least a year old and use polka dots. That was easy enough. Graciousness, I've got some old stash. The checkered PP I used was copy wrote in 2003. I placed a gray eyelet in a corner of the heart and used polka dotted paper to cover the chipboard heart I've had for a couple years.

I just adore these rub-ons from K & Company.
Rub-ons are one of my favorite products.

They're quick and easy to use.

I added some paper piercing to the PP panel and a couple little borders. The scalloped border was created using decorative scissors. The ribbon is really cheap, stiff stuff. But I like the crisp white color. I trimmed the bow with pinking shears. The cream flower is a regular floral flower. I bought it in a bunch at HL. The chipboard heart is edged with white craft paint. The BG was created using a mini Scor-it. I also, used a corner rounder on all the corners. TSMFL!!

~Lori

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Pink Elephant Challenge #7 (Sketch)

Here's my little number for this weeks TPE Challenge......I had such fun with this one!! It's super easy to work with and it's a win, win sketch!!
I inked up the Cuttlebug folder before I ran it through the machine(I can't think of the actual technique right now, LONG day). Stitched around the edge of the CS and added a little paint to the edges. I layered the panel and spruced it up a little bit by adding a bow.

SUPPLIES/card stock (Stampin' UP) blush blossom, very vanilla and baby blue, ink (SU, pretty in pink), Leafy Branch cuttlebug embossing folder, write's ribbon, PP (K & Company), Chipboard stickers ( K & Company), Pearls (Mark Richards), Rhinestones (K & Company), White craft paint, trim (Trimex, Joanne Fabric)

Here's the sketch (challenge #7).

Well blogger buds.....today was just one of those days!! Extremely fulfilling....but extremely tiring!! The upside, DD had an honor band function today. The bad side, we had to have her there at 8:45 this morning. The function was in another town so we had to hang out ALL day and wait for her. While waiting. I did have fun shopping at the Outlet mall. I just had two of my younger girls with me. They love to shop. Happily, we got some pretty good deals! :) We ended up being gone ELEVEN hours!!! Ack!! I'm all out and READY for bed!! LOL!

P.S. By the time you read this post it will be Monday and hopefully I'll be rested up by then!!

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Ella's Easter Egg Scramble

Here is my word for Ella's Easter egg scramble-rtesea

To play this game, if you didn't arrive here from Robins blog, you'll need to head over to the Pink Elephant and start from the beginning.

Once you have all eight words unscrambled email your answers to thepinkelephantblog@gmail.com.
Be sure to check out the other games going on this weekend. There are some great prizes to be won.
Now that you have the word from me. Be sure to head over to Angela's blog to get another word to unscramble.

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Find Ella

Let’s go on a little Easter hunt! Somewhere on the first page of my blog, you will find a picture of Ella’s face with a letter in the corner. Find the 7 other letters on my fellow design team members’ blogs, put them together and email the 8 letter word to thepinkelephantblog@gmail.com with the subject line “Find Ella” by Sunday night at midnight EST. To find the links to the other designers’ blogs, head over to The Pink Elephant. Be sure to check out the other games going on this weekend at TPE too! There are some great prizes to be won!

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Pink Elephant Easter Blog Hop

Welcome to The Pink Elephant Easter Blog Hop! If you didn't arrive here from Robin's blog, you will want to go to http://thepinkelephantchallenge.blogspot.com and start from the beginning. You won't want to miss the fun things that everyone has to share! Some of the DT are offering blog candy too!

Here's my little Easter creation. I used a lot of K & Company paper and K & Company chipboard stickers on this one. I hope you enjoy it!

Now on to the really FUN stuff!! I have three prize bundles to give away. That means there will be three winners. To be eligible, simply leave a comment (only one comment per person please) in this post about an Easter tradition in your family or tell me what your favorite Spring flower is. That's all you have to do.....There will be three random winners announced Friday, March 27th.

After you are done on my blog, be sure to hop over to Angela's blog to see what she made. She has blog candy to give away too!!!

Blog candy contents: buttons, ribbon, stamp set, stickers, felt flowers, metal embellies, pre-made tags, chipboard letters, plain tags, Cricut paper cut outs(home accents).Each bundle has some different goodies in it. If you would like to see a larger image. Simply click on the photo.

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WT #210 SCS Challenge, A Spoonful of Sugar

Today at SCS is the Ways to Use it challenge. The challenge is to use stickers and a stamp......believe it or not. Both are on this card!! I used my new flourishes stamp on the PP. So, the stamps are hard to see. The tag is also a stamp. I applied a sticker over the stamped sentiment. The flower has a foamy texture. Hobby Lobby has their floral half price most of the time.....so, I bought a stem of these flowers and just separated them. They are amazingly cute!

The stickers are K & Company. The PP is Foof-a-la.

Spoonful of sugar's challenge this week is using gems. I added three gems to this little number.....

You're welcome to participate in any of these challenges!! Have a super day!! ~Lori

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Pink Elephant #6 (buttons)

I was shopping in HL last week and a tote handbag caught my eye! The body of the bag was b&w. The handles were a gorgeous lime green!! I knew I had to try to make a card those colors!! So, here it is...... PINK ELEPHANT CHALLENGE #6

The flourish stamp was stamped in basic black ink directly onto the white card stock in a pattern. The ribbon was attached and embellished. The chipboard sticker, buttons, corner piece and trim was then added. I actually, CB'd the bottom of the card after it was completed.




I can hardly believe it's time for another TPE challenge this week! Time flies when you're having fun!!

This week the challenge is using buttons......Now, that's a piece of cake for most crafters!! :D I think I use buttons on most of my projects!!! It would be more of a challenge for me to NOT use buttons!!! They are extremely versatile and fun to incorporate!! I decided to make two cards this week.....TYSM for your comments and support!! Hugs ~Lori R



This little card came together very quick!! I stamped the large flower image directly onto the white card stock. Cut a small strip of PP and layered it with a slightly larger piece of PP. I then added the chipboard sticker, buttons and bow. Also, I used pinking shears along the edges of the PP.





I used some more K & Company chipboard stickers!! I'm more than hooked on K & Company products!! The large flourish is from Stampabilities....The PP is Stampin' UP.....Ribbon is from HL ( $1.00 a roll ). Trim and ric-rac came from Joannes....Buttons are Foof-a-la.

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FTTC6 Timeless Tuesday Challenge

Happy weekend everyone!! I hope you all are having a fabulous one!! So far, mine has been very productive.....I was able to make 5 cards this afternoon!! YAY!! Here's a card that is very "Splitcoasty." That's was I call cards with lots of card stock showing and a colored stamped image. I've been getting away from that style recently......So, I thought I would do a "Splitcoasty" style card in honor of Flourishes Timeless Tuesday Challenge.

I used Fruit Stand from Stampin' UP. I think it's such an elegant set!! Although, this is only the second time I've inked it up! I really should use it more often!! I colored the image with plain ol' Stampin' UP markers and a blender pen. I added some clear paper glaze to the berries. I used the birds and swirls CB folder on the top part of the card. The ovals are nesties. The PP is K & Company (Baily). Ribbon is from Wal-Mart, Offray brand. Of course, the butterfly is Martha Stewart. The sentiment is Stampin' UP. Pearls are by Mark Richards and the rhinestones are from the Paper Studio.

The colors I used to color in the image are bravo burgundy, rose red, always artichoke, old olive, and summer sun.

Here's a sneak peek of a card I have created to celebrate The Pink Elephants Easter Blog Hop next weekend. I also, have a tutorial planned. And I will also be giving away some BLOG CANDY. There will be THREE lucky winners. So you don't want to miss this!!

~Lori R

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2sketches4you # 21, OCC (doodling), Use It #1

Just a quick post.......Another fabulous sketch from 2sketches4you!! I SO love their blog.....Tons of talent going on over there!! Here's my interpretation of Laura's sketch.......I added doodling to the bottom of this card so I could combine it with OCC (doodling on your card).......

This is a last minute add-on........Rae (yea, yea, you see her in the paper mags ALL the time and YES I think I'm a little jealous of that fact! ;) JK!!!!! She's a very talented lady she deserves it!! It's a lot of hard work to keep up with all that PUB stuff! I just spent (well, hubby did) $12.37 mailing a package to the publisher. Talk about eating into your profit!! :0 Oh well!! I can't wait to see how my project looks in the PUB!! Ok, now back to Rae......She started this COOL blog....Using your hoarded stash.....I love the idea. Who doesn't have stuff from years ago!! I do!! I've been paper crafting for 9 years! I have plenty of STASH.....This card is proof of that!! The paper flower I used...Well, I've had it SO long..I forgot where I got, how long I've had it....I almost forgot where it was when I went to use it!! :D Oh yea, and those typewriter looking button letter thingies...Same thing!!! I don't even remember buying them!! Lucky for me I had them on hand!! They made me one happy girl!! So, I hope you get to play along with one of these challenges this week!! Enough prattling...This was supposed to be a short post!!! Ok, it was until I edited it!!! What's a desperate, obsessed paper crafter supposed to do??!! (I hope this challenge ends this Thursday and not next Thursday!!! I'll feel REALLY dumb!)


RULES For Rae's Challenge:

♦Dig through your stash and use one of your FAVORITE papers♦ (I used K & Company PP)
♦use something (anything) that you have NEVER used before♦ (the paper flower) (vintage stickie)
♦use some ribbon♦ (ummmm....does twine count??) I hope so!! :)
♦use a button♦ (foof-a-la)






This card consists mostly of scrapbooking supplies. The large scallops are half punched 1 3/4 circles. I used some stickers, rub-ons, twine, micro beads, button, and a paper prima. Don't forget about the doodling on the bottom...... :) Thanks so much for taking a look and your wonderful comments! Have a great night!! ~Lori R

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Pink Elephant Challenge #5 Pink, Green and Brown...... Baby Announcement

Bear with me.....I've had this penchant for collages lately.....I have to admit. I struggled with this one. Baby announcements are NOT my forte!! I worked on it here..... and I worked on it there.....I tried this.....and then I tried that....Finally, It felt right enough for me to quit fiddling with it. If you look closely. You can see the clothes pins I painted and decorated to use for this photo . I simply painted the clothes pins. Smeared paper glaze over the painted surface and sprinkled glitter edge to edge. I decorated one of the clothes pins with some green twine and resin flowers.
Just for kicks....I'd like to share the photo experience with you. My oldest daughter was helping me...... One end of the string was tied to a centerpiece that is on my dining room table. While my daughter held the other end of the string. The clothes pins took on a mind of their own...My daughter was laughing like a houdini, which made the clothesline bounce like crazy!! That makes getting a good photo almost i-m-p-o-s-s-i-b-l-e!!! Long story short.....No cards, people or pets were hurt in this venture!! We all came out in one piece. And if Laughter really is the best medicine.....My daughter will be healthy for a LONG time!!!

The challenge this week at the Pink Elephant is to use pink, green and brown on your card or project. This announcement is a two-fold card. It has a long fold at the bottom and a short fold at the top.

The welcome emblem is a Cricut die from the Home Accents cartridge. The paper is from the Paper Studio, the primas are making memories, the stork, sentiment and announcent are from Rubber Soul Stamps. To fancy it up I added ric rac, lace trim, resin flowers, buttons and ribbon.

Thanks a billion for stopping by!! :D I enjoy all your comments and feedback!!

~Lori R

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photo shoot of my oldest daughter

The age old question......Where has the time gone?? Where is the baby I seemingly just held in my arms....The one that I carried every where I went....The one that seemed to never leave my side?! I can hardly believe she will be eleven this summer! Thankfully, she is sweet, musical, responsible, hard working and an honor roll student. I stand in amazement at the blessing the Lord has seen fit to bless us with. Although, Cherish is no longer a part of my body....She will ALWAYS be a part of my heart!!

The weather was nice yesterday day so, we hopped over to the city park. I'm glad I remembered to take my camera!! I was able to get a few good photos of my oldest daughter. I've been wanting to get some recent photos of her!! I'm SO glad I finally did!! (Notice the sunglasses? She thought my shades would be a great prop...)

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OCC, FTTC#5 O Happy Day

Here's a quick card and a quick post.....This card is a double challenge combo....Our Creative Corner and Flourishes Timeless Tuesday . Check out the coloring. Too bad I didn't color it!! :D It's a Stickabilities sticker by the Paper Studio. I bought them at Hobby Lobby when they were 50% off. I love the way Hobby Lobby rotates their sales!!
The ribbon is Offray ribbon from Wal-Mart. The sentiment is by Heidi Grace designs. The paper is Studio K By K & Company. Cardstock is Stampin' UP and the button is Foof-a-la by Autumn Leaves. Thanks for stopping by!! Have a great evening!! ~Lori R

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2sketches4you #21 ~TWO MOTHER'S DAY CARDS~

Since Mother's Day is right around the corner.......I wanted to be prepared for it. So, Kazan's sketch came in handy...... My mother and I went shopping last week at Joanne's, they had a great sale on their stickers. Naturally, I couldn't pass up buying a few packs. These lovely, colorful, Mother's Day stickies are what I used on these two cards. I made a card for my mom and one for my MIL......I hope they're not too fresh and funky for them!

Yay!! I got to use the Cricut on the card above.....The large flourish is from the Home Accents cartridge. I am SOOOO in love with the Cricut! There is so many different ways to use one feature! I try to incorporate the Cricut into my projects as much as I can.

This little bird was in a K & Company sticker embellishment pack. By far, K & Company seems to be my favorite.....I seem to be drawn to the dimension and detail they add to their products.

Kazan's sketch is great this week!! 2sketches4you would LOVE to have you join the fun!!

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